Dog Poo Guide

It's a gross but important topic: dog poo. That’s because the quality of your dog’s poo can tell you a lot about their health. By regularly checking your dogs poo, you can get some important clues as to how their diet is going. Even if it is a bit yucky!

Here’s the 4 most common types of poos:

The “Soldier”

Firm yet supple.

Easy to pick up.

Mild smell.

Good job!

The “Snail”

Moist but has shape.

Leaves residue on ground.

Unpleasant odour.

Could be better.

The “Steamer”

Very moist.

Vaguely log shaped.

Messy to pick up.

Not healthy.

The “Hot Mess”

Wet and shapeless.

Smells bad.

Hard to pick up.

Help!!

If your dog isn't making nice healthy poos, they probably aren't healthy themselves. But it's not hard to help them!

How to have healthy poos

Feed a balanced, biologically appropriate diet. Yes, that means raw food that’s been nutritionally formulated and properly balanced, with enough dietary fibre. This is the single most important decision you make for your dog's health!

Digestive enzymes and probiotics. These improve digestion, allowing for better nutrient absorption (read more here). We include our own fermented "Nelly Belly" in our food which is a great source of both probiotics and enzymes. Consider a probiotic supplement if your food doesn't contain any.

Exercise and water. Adequate amounts of both will help move everything through your dogs body, keeping them happy and regular.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). This improves digestion, and helps reduce itchy skin. You can read more about the benefits of ACV here.

Some other issues to consider:

Constipation is where your dog tries to poo but nothing comes out, even after prolonged effort. This can occur for many reasons, like dehyration, lack of exercise, internal obstruction or infection. But if it lasts for more than a day or 2 you might have a real problem on your hands. We would strongly recommend going to your vet if this is happening to your dog, just to be safe.

Diarrhoea is where your dogs poo is loose, sloppy or malformed. This can be the result of poor diet, parasites like giadia, or a change in food. If your dog is regularly experiencing diarrhoea, the most likely reason is they aren’t eating biologically appropriate food. If your dog is still experiencing sloppy seconds after 3 days, you should consult your vet.

WE LOVE DOGS!

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website is based upon the opinions of Whoa Nelly! based on our research and experience. It is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a Vet and not intended as medical advice. This website is a sharing of knowledge and information from our research and experience. We strongly encourage you to make your own health care decisions based upon your own research. Please consult your vet before using advice based on this content, especially if your dog is pregnant, nursing, taking medication or has a medical condition.